Feasting and egg throwing at the Bhogali Bihu harvest festival in Assam, India

This week on the Club 9516/The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear from listener Prithwiraj Purkayastha, about the Bhogali Bihu harvest festival in Assam, India. There’s great music, listener letters, and the quiz … don’t miss it!

Prithwiraj Purkayastha

Hello everyone!

We are reflecting on changes to our programming here at RFI English, and we want to hear from you! Write us and let us know what you like about our programmes, what you don’t like, what you would like to hear more of, less of, when you listen, how you listen … all your thoughts are welcome … and very important to us.

This week’s quiz question is about Tunisia, which has had its fair share of political upheaval over the past weeks … its now ex-president of 23 years, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, has fled the country, a new interim President has been sworn in, and a new interim unity government has been named.

General elections are to be organized … supposedly calm has somewhat returned to the country, although many are disgruntled that there are members of Ben Ali’s government remaining in the interim government. My question to you this week is: who is the new interim President? What is the name of Tunisia’s interim President? A hint … he is the Former Speaker of Parliament.

You have until 28 February to send in your answer; the winners will be announced on the 6 March programme.

My dear listeners, it’s time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day, and your loving musical dedications … send me your sweetheart’s name, and your musical choice for the day.

Get on into this kitchen and cook with me! I’m especially looking for your essays on the theme “This I Believe”. This new main dish on The Sound Kitchen is inspired by the great American radio journalist, Edward Murrow. Every evening on Murrow’s radio show in the 1950’s, a listener would read an essay about his own personal motivation in life.

Your essay should stress your personal beliefs – the principals that guide your life. And of course, there’s a special prize in store for those who participate.

I still want you to write and tell me about people in your community who are doing good things … the “ordinary” people in your community who are doing “extra-ordinary” things, and trying to make the world a better place.

Hearing about a person just like you and me who works just a little bit harder for others, and thinks a little less about himself, is encouraging for us all!

And I am still looking for your letters about the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you, or that you’ve seen … or, your favourite guilty pleasure – mine’s chocolate - or your favourite day-off thing to do. Share your proudest achievement with us all – and send in your musical requests and dedications, too.

So, to your pens! Include a phone number, if you can. I’d like to call you and put you on-the-air – and send you an RFI CD. If you go on-the-air, you get a CD of music chosen by the RFI musical team - so don’t be shy!

Send your thoughts to me at:
[e-mail]

or, of course, via “real” mail to:
Susan Owensby
Club 9516 / The Sound Kitchen
B.P. 9516
75016 Paris, FRANCE

I look forward to hearing from you.
Susan